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The quick answer, if that's all you're looking for, is that the average U.S. household uses 893 kWh per month.
The longer answer involves understanding who and what in your house is using that electricity.
For context, a kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit of measurement you'll see used on your monthly electricity bill. One kWh equals the amount of energy it takes to keep a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. Of course, appliances vary greatly in their energy needs. A standard dishwasher requires about 1 to 2 kWh per load, whereas a 50" LED TV only needs about 0.071 kWh to be on for one hour.
To be fair, not all households are the same, and various factors will affect what is considered average electricity usage for your household.
Key Factors Affecting a Household's Average Electricity Usage
The three biggest factors affecting a household's average electricity usage are:
- Size of household in terms of number of people living there
- Size of household in terms of the square footage of the home
- Number and type of appliances being used
The 893 kWh per month stated above corresponds to an "average" American household. In 2022, that average household is approximately 2,300 square feet and has either 2 or 3 people living there. The most common large appliances to find in an average home include a microwave, refrigerator, oven or comparable cooking device, vacuum cleaner, washing machine and water heater.
Obviously, more people under one roof means more energy needs. And larger homes will most likely require more lighting, heating, and cooling than smaller ones, depending on where in the country they are located, all of which can affect average electricity usage.
However, don't expect your one- or two-bedroom apartment to use half as much energy as the "average" household above, just because it's half the size or has half as many people living there.
One- and two-bedroom apartment dwellers use about 20 to 30 kWh per day, which means around 600 to 900 kWh per month. This is because you still likely use the same set of common appliances, albeit maybe less frequently than a larger household, and you're still heating and cooling the space even if it's only you living there.
Additionally, if you have other electricity-intensive appliances, say a hot tub or extra refrigerator or freezer, those will bring your average monthly usage up. (And if you're charging an electric vehicle at home, that will probably account for the biggest portion of your monthly electricity usage.)
How Much Electricity Do Common Household Appliances Use?
Where is the bulk of your electricity usage is going to? According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the three largest categories for residential electricity consumption are air conditioning (17%), space heating (15%), and water heating (13%). After that, the rest of your appliances will account for the remainder.
Here's what you can expect common household appliances to add to your average daily and monthly electricity usage:
Air Conditioning & Cooling Energy Usage
Space Heating Energy Usage
Water Heating Energy Usage
Kitchen Appliance Energy Usage
Refrigerator & Freezer Energy Usage
Bathroom Electronic Energy Usage
Laundry Energy Usage
Lighting Energy Usage
Household Electronics Energy Usage
Various Household Items Energy Usage
GPM = gallons per minute
SEER = Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (efficiency given to central air conditioning)
EER = Energy Efficiency Ratio (efficiency rating given to window/wall air conditioners)
